Wat Rong Khun

Chalermchai Kositpipat is a highly successful Thai artist. Having made a pile of cash, he thought it would be a good idea to turn his artistic talents to the design of a temple. And everyone else thought it was a good idea too, because Wat Rong Khun is like no other temple in the world.

You realise you are in for something different when you see this near the entrance:

SWMBO advises me that the sign says something like “no drunks allowed in the temple”. That’s Jock banned then.

The entrance to the temple is flanked by a pair of horns:

And two pits of hands, presumably reaching out from somewhere unpleasant:

One of the fingernails, on one of the hands, is painted red:

Then there is a walkway up to the main temple:

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to photograph inside the temple, which is a shame but understandable; because the rear walls are covered in the most astonishing graphics which include the twin towers, Osama Bin Laden and assorted technology. If you could photograph it there would be a crowd of people with their back to the Buddha snapping away. It’s well worth the trip just to look at the wall designs.

So instead I will just subject you to more photos of the building. Personally I prefer the black and white images, your feelings may be different. The temple has already been under construction for thirteen years, and more buildings are on the way. It’s going to be a stunning complex once it is complete. Even now, it is a place to linger and appreciate. We arrived just before sunset for the first visit, and went back again when the temple opened in the morning. It’s just south of Chiang Rai on the main road.

Comments 🔗

2010-01-28 | Walter says

Looks boring, and your photos are shit. Why not concintrate on bar girls like the rest of the Pattaya blogs?

2010-01-28 | Pete says

Obviously Walter is either trying to be funny, or is a philistine. What a stunning looking place.

That shape normally makes my mind think of red and gold - this one gives the impression of being all iced over, as though it was a cold winter somewhere.

Incidentally, the sign says “Forbidden for anyone drunk on spirits to enter the temple”, so I guess us beer drinkers are OK!!

2010-01-28 | Billy says

The great thing about the InterWeb for the timid and shy is that they can at last express their long supressed loutishness and lack of civility without the remotest possibility of being held to account. Come back real soon Walter, maybe you can summon up the courage to use an F word next time and demonstrate to all what a real man you are. Go on, your Mum will never know. Tosser.

2010-01-28 | Spike says

Billy, you are right. I also wish to express my hidden feelings. I love you and want to have your children. Damn, that feels better.

2010-01-28 | Jock says

I suspect that the real reason there are no pics from inside the Temple is because Spike was under the influence and therefore was not admitted …

… question is why is there a bottle of whisky on the statue near the entrance?

2010-01-30 | genuinej says

Hurtful and unnecessary comment from Walter, but he does sort of have a point about the lack of female content. (pretty maids all in a row do not fill this gap)

2010-01-30 | Billy says

haha …. Her Indoors is a bit worried, she said “I know the baby thing is a joke, but is Spike gay?” … I was eventually able to reassure her …. that you weren’t, I mean …

ps should we go for a boy or a girl?

2010-01-30 | Spike says

genuinej, I did cry copiously for a while, but I am OK now. Still feeling a little fragile though. I can’t post what I don’t shoot; but there are a couple of offerings in the latest post (although personally I prefer the cars).

Billy, twins, one pink and one slightly orange.